WE congratulates West Restaurant oenophile Owen Knowlton. The South Granville wine director who oversees a list of over 700 labels was named Sommelier of the Year by an esteemed panel of his peers at the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival last week (2881 Granville, 604-738 -8938, WestRestaurant.com).
Reason to rejoice: Gastowns popular LAbattoir restaurant home to chef Lee Cooper and Bartender of the Year Shaun Layton took a big step this week and committed to opening seven nights a week (217 Carrall, 604-568-1701, LAbattoir.ca).
The Moda Hotels Uva Wine Bar and Cibo Trattoria have hired former Divino GM David Fert to lead both rooms. David Bain, formerly of West Restaurant, has also joined the team as the bar manager at UVA Wine Bar (900 Seymour, 604-632-9560, ModaHotel.com).
Tom Doughty and chef Rob Belcham of Refuel and Campagnolo have taken over the old Caribbean Hot Pizza Express location (2297 East Hastings) and will open Campagnolo Roma in its place. The new, 35-seat concept is due this May, and will be based on the original Campagnolo on Main, only the cuisine will be more regionally specific to Rome. Ted Anderson (currently at Refuel) will be the opening chef.
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